[James Kilkelly]

Hedging plants in Ireland (size, spacing, flowers and fruit)

Common question that new gardeners often ask.......

Good hedging for Ireland?
How far apart to space hedging plants?
Which hedge will grow by the sea?
Which hedge will cope with shade?
Which hedge flowers in winter?
Which hedge has flowers and fruit?
What variety makes a good security hedge?


You will find answers to your hedging questions here, within this basic list of some of the most suitable hedging for Ireland.
I will update it as time goes by, with pics of the individual hedging plants, plus many more suitable varieties.

When selecting a hedge for your situation, you will be choosing a variety which balaces the following factors....
* How high you require your hedge to grow
eg. Is it to be 1.5 metres high as a boundry between houses.

* How quickly you wish your hedge to get to that required height
eg. immature Box hedging will probably not reach 1.5 metres in your lifetime whereas X Cupressuscyparis 'Leylandii' will reach that height in just over two years, but continue growing strongly.

* Level of maintenance required
How much maintenance (trimming, topping etc.) is required to keep your hedge within the desired heights and widths you require
eg. To keep a Griselinia littoralis hedge at a height of 1.5 metres will require trimming once if not twice a year. Whereas trying to keep X Cupressuscyparis 'Leylandii' to a height of 1.5 metres is the devils own job, with the hedge growing very strongly and not responding well to hard pruning.



So as you can see, it is worth your while to carry out some research and reading into hedging before selecting your variety. If not, that fast growing hedge could become the bane of your life with its constant maintenance.
Finally, do not be put off by the ultimate heights quoted for some hedging varieties eg Griselinia littoralis at 20 metres tall, these are maximum heights, under ideal conditions, unpruned and with no neighboring plant competition.
If we disregarded hedging based solely on their ultimate heights, then we, as gardeners, would never plant Beech as a hedge, as it has an ultimate height of 35 to 40 metres.
Never planting beech (Fagus sylvatica) would be a shame.

Read on and discover which plant may be suitable for your next hedge........

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Hedging plant list for Ireland.
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Aucuba japonica (dog laurel) spaced at 60cm (2ft) creates an evergreen hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a moderate growth rate, 6-9ins per year
A hedge that copes with shade and displays decorative red fruit.
Many gardeners report that this hedging variety is resistant to rabbit and hare attack due to its bitter taste.
Copes with shade.
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Aucuba japonica 'Variegata' (spotted laurel) spaced at 60cm (2ft) creates an evergreen hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a moderate growth rate, 6-9ins per year.
A hedge with decorative red fruit.
Many gardeners report that this Aucuba hedging variety also is resistant to rabbit and hare attack due to its bitter taste.
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Berberis darwinii (darwins bearberry / barberry) spaced at 45cm (1.5 ft) creates an evergreen hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a moderate growth rate, 1ft per year.
A hedge with orange spring flowers followed by dark blue fruit.
The thorns make it a good security hedge.
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Berberis stenophylla (bearberry) spaced at 45cm (1.5 ft) creates an evergreen hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a moderate growth rate, 1.5ft per year.
A hedge with yellow spring flowers followed by dark blue fruit.
The thorns make it a good security hedge.
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Berberis thunbergii "Atropurpurea"( bearberry) spaced at 45cm (1.5 ft) creates an deciduous hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a moderate growth rate, 1ft per year.
A hedge with yellow summer flowers followed by red fruit.
In autumn it displays fiery colours of red, orange , and yellow before the leaves shed.
The thorns make it a good security hedge.
Prefers a well-drained soil.
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Buxus sempervirens (box) spaced at 5 plants per metre creates an evergreen hedge 3ft tall at a slow growth rate, 4ins per year.
Copes with shade.
A small and neat evergreen hedge if trimmed very regularly.
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Carpinus betulus (hornbeam) spaced at 30cm (1 ft) creates an deciduous hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a moderate growth rate, 1-2ft per year.
It will retain its old leaves over winter though.
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Cotoneaster simonsii spaced at 45cm (1.5 ft) creates an semi-evergreen hedge (in mild winters) 6 to 8ft tall at a rapid growth rate.
A hedge with decorative white summer flowers followed by red fruit.
Quite shade tolerant.
Will require trimming twice a year if you wish it to look neat.
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Cotoneaster lacteus spaced at 60cm (2 ft) creates an fast growing evergreen hedge (in mild winters) 12ft tall at a rapid growth rate, 1 to 2ft per year.
A hedge with white summer flowers followed by red fruit.
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. Wind resistant .

Crataegus monogyna (hawthorn, whitethorn or quickthorn) spaced at 30cm (1 ft) creates an deciduous hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a fast growth rate, 1.5ft per year
A hedge with white spring flowers followed by red fruit.
The thorns make it a good security hedge.
Will tolerate a wide range of soils.
Looks right at home in rural areas.
Native to Ireland, plant a piece of our natural history.
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x Cupressuscyparis 'Leylandii' spaced at 75cm (2.5 ft) creates an evergreen conifer hedge up to 60ft tall at a rapid growth rate.
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. Wind resistant .
Elaeagnus x ebbingii (oleaster) spaced at 45cm (1.5 ft) creates an evergreen hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a morderate growth rate.
A hedge with white autumn flowers that copes well by the sea.
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. Wind resistant .
Elaeagnus pungens 'Maculata' (variegated oleaster) spaced at 45cm (1.5 ft) creates an evergreen hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a morderate growth rate.
A hedge with white autumn flowers that copes well by the sea.
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. Wind resistant .
Escallonia "Macrantha" spaced at 45cm (1.5 ft) creates an evergreen hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a moderate growth rate.
A hedge with crimson summer flowers that copes well by the sea.
Not totally hardy, can be damaged by a hard frost.
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. Wind resistant .
Escallonia "Apple Blossom" spaced at 45cm (1.5 ft) creates an evergreen hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a moderate growth rate.
A hedge with pinkish-white summer flowers that copes well by the sea.
Not totally hardy, can be damaged by a hard frost.
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. Wind resistant .
Escallonia "Iveyii" spaced at 45cm (1.5 ft) creates an evergreen hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a moderate growth rate.
A hedge with white summer flowers that copes well by the sea.
Not totally hardy, can be damaged by a hard frost.
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Euonymus japonicus spaced at 45cm (1.5 ft) creates an evergreen hedge 4 to 5ft tall at a slow growth rate.
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Fagus sylvatica (green beech) spaced at 30cm (1 ft) creates an deciduous hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a moderate growth rate.
It will retain its old leaves over winter though, if trimmed regularly.
Grows best on well drained soils, for heavy soils you can instead plant hornbeam.
Looks right at home in rural areas.
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Fagus sylvatica "Atropurpurea" (copper beech) spaced at 30cm (1 ft) creates an deciduous hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a moderate growth rate.
It will retain its old leaves over winter though.
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Forsythia x intermedia 'Lynwood' spaced at 45cm (1.5 ft) creates an deciduous hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a rapid growth rate.
A hedge with yellow spring flowers.
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. Wind resistant .
Fuchsia "Riccartonii" (ladys eardrops) spaced at 45cm (1.5 ft) creates an deciduous hedge 6ft tall at a rapid growth rate.
A hedge with red summer flowers that copes well by the sea.
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. Wind resistant .
Griselinia littoralis (mirror plant / broadleaf) spaced at 45cm (1.5 ft) creates an evergreen hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a rapid growth rate.
A hedge that copes well by the sea.
Not totally hardy, can be damaged by a hard frost.
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. Wind resistant .
Ilex aquifolium (holly) spaced at 45cm (1.5 ft) creates an evergreen hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a slow growth rate.
A hedge with decorative fruit, and the thorns make it a good security hedge.
However, ensure you plant a majority of female plants for berry displays, approx mix 1 male to 10 females, lucky lad.
A hedge that also copes with shade.
Looks right at home in rural areas.
Will tolerate most soils.
A slow starter which has a better success rate if planted as containerised or root-balled specimens.
Native to Ireland, plant a piece of our natural history.
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Ilex X altaclerensis "Golden King" (golden variegated holly) spaced at 45cm (1.5 ft) creates an evergreen hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a slow growth rate.
A hedge with decorative red fruit and the thorns make it a good security hedge.
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Ilex X altaclerensis "Silver Queen" (silver variegated holly) spaced at 45cm (1.5 ft) creates an evergreen hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a slow growth rate.
A hedge with thorns that makes it a good security hedge.
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Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' (English lavender) spaced at 30cm (1 ft) creates an evergreen hedge 2ft tall at a slow growth rate.
A hedge with scented blue flowers produced in summer.
Requires a free draining soil to thrive.
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Ligustrum ovalifolium (privet) spaced at 30cm (1 ft) creates an evergreen hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a moderate growth rate.
A hedge with decorative white scented flowers.
Tolerates shade.
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Ligustrum ovalifolium 'Aureum' (variegated privet) spaced at 30cm (1 ft) creates an evergreen hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a moderate growth rate.
A hedge with decorative white scented flowers.
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Lonicera nitida (poor mans box / honeysuckle hedge) spaced at 30cm (1 ft) creates an evergreen hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a moderate growth rate.
A hedge that looks shaggy very quickly, pruning required at least twice a year.
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Lonicera nitida 'Baggesen's Gold' (golden poor mans box / golden honeysuckle hedge) spaced at 30cm (1 ft) creates an evergreen hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a moderate growth rate.
A hedge that looks shaggy very quickly, pruning required at least twice a year.
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Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape) spaced at 60cm (2 ft) creates an evergreen hedge 3ft tall at a moderate growth rate.
A thorny hedge with decorative and scented winter flowers followed by dark blue fruit.
A hedge that also copes with shade
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Olearia x haastii (daisy bush) spaced at 30cm (1 ft) creates an evergreen hedge 6ft tall at a slow growth rate.
A hedge with white summer flowers that copes well by the sea.
Not totally hardy, can be damaged by a hard frost.
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. Wind resistant .
Olearia macrodonta (New Zealand holly) spaced at 45cm (1.5 ft) creates an evergreen hedge up to 10ft tall at a moderate growth rate.
A hedge with white summer flowers that copes well by the sea.
Not totally hardy, can be damaged by a hard frost.
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. Wind resistant .
Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia' (cherry laurel) spaced at 90cm (3 ft) creates an evergreen hedge 10ft tall at a moderate growth rate.
A hedge with white scented flowers and large glossy leaves,.
Copes well with shade.
Creates a good screen, which can be cut back hard if needed.
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Prunus lusitanica (Portugal laurel) spaced at 45cm (1.5 ft) creates an evergreen hedge 10ft tall at a moderate growth rate.
A hedge with decorative and scented spring flowers.
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. Wind resistant .
Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn) spaced at 30cm (1 ft) creates an deciduous hedge 6 to 8ft tall at a moderate growth rate.
A hedge with very early white spring flowers followed by fruit.
The thorns make it a good security hedge.
Tolerates exposure well.
Grows best on heavy soils.
Looks right at home in rural areas.
Native to Ireland, plant a piece of our natural history.
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Ribes sanguineum (flowering currant) spaced at 60cm (2 ft) creates an deciduous hedge 8ft tall at a moderate growth rate.
A hedge with reddish-pink spring flowers, the foliage exudes the scent of blackcurrants.
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. Wind resistant .
Rosa rugosa (rugosa rose) spaced at 45cm (1.5 ft) creates an deciduous hedge 6ft tall at a fast growth rate.
A hedge with pink flowers and red/orange fruit (rose hips) that copes well by the sea.
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Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) spaced at 30cm (1 ft) creates an evergreen hedge 4ft tall at a moderate growth rate.
A hedge with scented blue flowers produced in summer.
Requires a free draining soil to thrive.
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Taxus baccata (yew) spaced at 60cm (2 ft) creates an evergreen hedge up to 40ft tall at a slow growth rate.
Native to Ireland, plant a piece of our natural history.
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Thuja plicata 'Dura'(western red ceder) spaced at 60cm (2 ft) creates an evergreen hedge up to 60ft tall at a moderate growth rate.
Much lower maintenance and copes better with hard pruning than Leylandii.
Prefers a well-drained soil.
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. Wind resistant .
Ulex Europeus 'flore pleno' (Gorse or furze) spaced at 60cm (2 ft) creates an evergreen informal hedge up to 6ft tall at a moderate growth rate.
A hedge with Pea sized yellow flowers with a sweet scent usually from March to May and scented foliage.
It also boasts severe spines, and an ability to cope with windy locations.
Very stock-proof when mature.
Looks right at home in wild areas.

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Viburnum tinus spaced at 45cm (1.5 ft) creates an evergreen hedge up to 8ft tall at a moderate growth rate.
A hedge with white scented winter flowers.
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If you want to create a bird-friendly hedge select plants with loads of berries.
You could create a mixed hedge to this end using the following plants.....
Ilex aquifolium,
Sambucus nigra,
Viburnum opulus,
Cotoneaster lacteus,
Berberis darwinii,
Hippophae,
Symphoricarpos

If you want to create a flowering hedge with good autumn leaf colour, you could create a mixed hedge using the following deciduous plants.....
hawthorn,
blackthorn,
Forsythia,
Spiraea x vanhouttei,
Potentilla fruticosa
Ribes sanguineum
Rosa rugosa

If you want to create a flowering evergreen hedge, you could create a mixed hedge using the follow plants.....
Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia'
Escallonia
Ligustrum ovalifolium,
Photinia 'Red Robin',
Ilex aquifolium

If you want to create a fragrant hedge, you could create a mixed hedge using the follow plants.....
Buddleia davidii,
Rosa rugosa
Philadelphus 'Virginal'
Syringa vulgaris
Ribes sanguineum

If you want to create a year-round interest hedge, you could create a mixed hedge using the follow plants.....
Berberis thunbergii atropurpurea
Cotoneaster lacteus
Pyracantha
Escallonia
Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin'
Viburnum opulus
Tamarix ramosissima
Forsythia intermedia 'spectabilis'
Philadelphus 'Virginal',
Ribes sanguineum 'King Edward'
Viburnum bodnantense 'Dawn'

[medieval knievel]

that's an impressively comprehensive list.

i've planted a beech hedge at between 12"-18" between plants, and have interplanted with holly seedlings i got from a friend. the plan is to let the beech grow, but as the holly plays catchup, slowly prune in such a way that it either intermingles with the beech or completely replaces it. is that a sane way of going about it?

the hedge will ideally end up about three to four foor tall.

[Sive]

That's a fantastic amount of information GPI.... laid out so clearly too....I wish I'd had it a couple of years ago when I was choosing my hedges!

[loughlin20]

excellent stuff

[John Martyn]

Recently joined this forum. Very impressed with the content so far.
The list is just what I have been looking many thanks for all the research which now I don't have to do

[Sunny]

Great stuff, well done. That some impressive info, im sure this in gonna come in handy, Thanks

[jashar99]

Yes, I found it a great resource when planting a hedge last year, wondeful reference, hedge doing fantastic, will post a few more, pics.

[RON]

Hi. I'm new to posting on this site but I have been using the information on it for a couple of years now. Find it great.

I have a question regarding Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides). I wanted to put a couple of these shrubs in a hedge I am completing. I just want to make sure that they wont spread all over the place as I have heard that they spread vegetatively. I don't want them popping up in the garden or neighbouring fields. If anyone has any help. Thanks.

[michael brenock]

yes Sea Buckthorn will spread by underground roots but is the best for a sandy sea-side site. escallonias should be avoided as of now as they have become victims of a serious foliage disease that appears to be getting worse.
great list, well done.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

[oliverjhenry]

I am new to the site and want to plant a low-level (2 feet high) box hedge around a patio area. From the post above, the buxus looks the most likely but I wouldn't want it to go above 2 feet. Would it look ok kept at that height or is there another, better option?

[annc16]

im thinking of setting a mountain laurel hedge, very unsure of how to go about it, any advice would be very helpfull thanks.

[mountainy man]

Hi am wanting to plant a hedge about 7-10m long , exposed to the west, north and south, soil is peat 18 inches deep then gravely and limestone pavement underlying , peat is relatively well drained.

Am thinking a backbone of hornbeam and a mixture of flowering shrubs between, any suggestions of acid loving flowering and possibly fruiting shrubs decideous or evergreen? (not conifers!) I dont like formal hedges and it wouldnt suit here any way.

will berberis darwinii, ribes sanguineum tollerate acid soil ?

Thanks folks

[Sive]

Holly would be good....also eleagnus.

[James Kilkelly]

mountainy man consider some Enkiaianthus and some Kalmia for flowering in acid soil.
Check them out in your local garden centre.
Some of the larger Rhododendrons may suit as well, but they don't take to excessive pruning which may be happening with your hedge.......... then again it may not

[mountainy man]

Thanks guys , the Enkiaianthus looks great and would be ideal as would holly but it seems to sulk up here.

James, would love to see one of your special articles on acid loving plants , pretty please